While peatlands cover only 3 per cent of the global land surface, they store vast amounts of carbon. This makes peatlands one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change. By conserving and restoring peatlands globally, we can reduce emissions and revive an essential ecosystem that provides many services, for people, the planet and climate - including their vital role as a natural carbon sink.
A lack of appreciation of this unique ecosystem and a lack of awareness of the benefits of peatlands means that they have been severely overexploited and damaged by actions such as drainage, agricultural conversion, burning and mining for fuel. About 15% of the world’s peatlands – covering less than 0.4% of the global land surface – have been drained. This has released huge amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), from the carbon stored within peat soils into the atmosphere. These emissions can and should be avoided – and we have the knowledge and innovations to do so.
For the world to keep the global average temperature increase under two degrees Celsius then peatlands must gain our attention – locally and globally. Urgent action must be taken everywhere, especially in the tropics to keep the carbon locked in peatlands where it is – wet, and in the ground." D. Kopansky
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